MAHALAKSHMI

ENGINEERING COLLEGE
TIRUCHIRAPALLI 621213

QUESTION BANK WITH ANSWER

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sub. Code

: EE2251

Subject

: ELECTRICAL MACHINES I

Semester

: IV

Unit

: V

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PART-A
1. What are the losses occurring in a dc machine?

(AU2013)

The losses occurring in a dc machine are

i. Copper losses
ii. Iron losses
iii. Mechanical losses

2. What is the advantages of swinburnes test?

(AU2009)

1.This method is economical since power required to test a large machine

is very small(i.e.,)no load input power.
2.This method enables us to determine thye losses and efficiency without
actually loading the machine.

3. What are the advantages and dis-advantages of hopkinsons test?

(AU2011)

Advantages :
1. Power required for the test is small as compared to full load powers of the two
machines.

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2. Since the machines can be tested under full load conditions for long duration,
the performance of the machines regarding commutation and temperature
rise can be studied.
Dis-advantage :
1. Two identical machines are required.

4. Why brake test is not suitable for large size machines? (AU2008)

The brake test is not suitable for large dc motors owing to yhe difficulty of
dissipating the heat generated at the pulley.

5. Mention the factors on which hysteresis loss depends.

(AU2008)

1. Hystersis coefficient
2. Maximum flux density
3. Frequency
4. Volume of the core

6. Hopkinsons test is also called a regenerative test. Justify.

(AU2008)
Hopkinsons test is also called a regenerative test. Because the machine
1running as a motor drives machine 2 as a generator. Since both the machines
are coupled electrically, the power output of generator 2 is fed to the motor 1.Due
to this reason, Hopkinsons test is also called a regenerative test .
7. What is a regenerative test?
(AU2013)
Regenerative test is a hopkinsons test. In this method two identical d.c
machines are coupled, both mechanically and electrically and are tested
simultaneously.One of the machines is made to run as a motor and it drives the
other machine as a generator.
8. Name the two methods of improving commutation.
(i) Emf commutation.

(AU2011)

(ii)Resistance commutation
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9. What are the losses in dc motor?

1.Copper losses

(AU2010)

2.Iron losses
3.Mechanical losses

10. What are the drawbacks of brake test on DC machines? (AU2011)

1.The brake test can be used for small motors only, because incase of
large motors,
it is difficult to dissipate the large amount of heat generated at the brake.
2. This method cannot be used for determining the internal losses.
3. The output of the motor cannot be measured directly.

PART-B
1.what are the various starting method of DC motor? Explain any one method.
(or)

.With a neat diagram explain the principle of operation of 3 point starter which is
used for DC shunt motor?
(AU MAY/JUN 11)
Introduction:
There are three types of DC motor starters namely,
Two point starter- (used for dc series motor)
Three point starter
Four point starter
When the handle is moved ON position the soft iron,which is attracted by the
electromagnet.
When the handle is in ON position ,the motor achieves its full speed ,Which develop the
back emf.This back emf regulates the armature current.
The starting resistance is connected in series with the armature of a dc motor.
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A handle ,which can be moved over the starting resistance against the spring.
A no voltage release (NVR) coil is connected in series with the field winding.
An OLR coil is connected in series with the field winding.
A movable arm is placed near the OLR coil.

Operation:
To start the motor ,the DC supply is given and the main switch is closed.
The handle is now slowly moved clockwise to the stud 1.
When the handle touches the stud 1,the full resistance is connected in series with the
armature.But the shunt field winding is directly connected across the supply voltage.
As the handle is gradually moved over to the final stud ,the starting reistances is cut out
of the armature circuit in steps.The handle move against the spring force.
When the handle reaches the final stud the soft iron piece is attracted by the
electromagnet.

Protective devices used in starters:

(i) No-Volt Release Coil(NVR):
When the handle is ON position ,the no volt coil is magnetised and attracts the soft
iron and keeps the handle in ON position against the spring tension.

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 In case of failure or disconnection of the supply or a break in the field circuit,the

NVR coil is denergised therby releasing the Arm, which is pulled back by the spring
to the OFF position.
(ii) OLR(Over Load Release)
If the motor becomes over loaded beyond a certain predetermined value,line current (or)
armature current increases and hence the attracting power of the electromagnet
increases,then the movable arm is lifted and the short circuits the electromagnet.Hence
the arm is released and retuns to OFF position.
Demerits of 3-Point Starter:
While employing this method ,the field current is decreased to achieve the speeds above
the rated speed.
This low value of the current also passes through NVR,which is unablie to create enough
electromagnetic pull to overcome the spring tension.Hence the arm is pulled back to
OFF position.

(i).With a neat sketch ,explain the working of four point starter for DC shunt motor
(AU NOV/DEC11)
In the four point starter,the no volt release coil is connected in series directly across the
line through a protective distance ,R p.
The no-volt release coil is independent of the shunt field current.Therefore proper speed
control can be excited without affecting the operation of no-volt release coil.
Operation:
To start the motor ,the dc supply is given and the main switch is closed.
The handle is now slowly moved clockwise to the stud 1.
When the handle touches the stud 1,the the line current divides into three parts
(a)One part passes through the Starting resistance and motor armature.
(b)The second part passes through the shunt field winding and the field rheostat.
(c)The third part passes through the no volt coil release coil and current protecting
resistance Rp.

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Therefore ,the electromagnet pull produced by the hold on coil will always be the same
and sufficient to hold the handle in ON position.

Disadvantages:
It wil not protect the motor from high protection .During running condition ,if the field gets
opened,the field current reduces.
(ii)With a neat sketch ,explain the working of Two point starter for DC shunt motor
In two point starter ,the starting resistance is connected in series with the
armature of series motor.The no volt release coil is connected in series with the
armature.After closing the supply,the handle is moved from OFF position.

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 Then the full starting resistance is included.Therefore the starting current is

reduced.Then the starting resistance is gradually cut down and the motor gathers speed,
which will then develop back emf. this NVC is also called as hold on coil.

Disadvantages:
The main problem of dc series motor is its overspeeding action ,When the load is
less.This problem can be presented by using two poin starter.

2.A 230 V shunt motor has an armature resistance of 0.2 ohm.The starting
armature current must not exceed 50 A.If the number of sections of reistances in
the starter is 5,find the value of resistance in each section.(AU NOV/DEC 11)
Given:
V=230 V
Ra=0.2,
Imax =50 A
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Number of sections =5.Hence there are 6 studs,i.e., n=6

Total resistance from armature terminal to stud 1 is
R1 =230/50 =4.6
R6 =R0 =0.2
R1/Ra =Kn-1,
4.6/0.2 =K5
Hence K=1.8721.
R2 =R1/K =4.6/1.8721=2.4571 ,
R3 =R2/K =2.4571/1.8721=1.3125 ,
R4 =R3/K =1.3125/1.8721=0.701 ,
R5 =R4/K =0.701/1.8721 =0.3744 ,
r1 = R1 - R2 =4.6-2.45 =2.14 ,
r2 = R2 - R3 =2.4571-1.3125=1.466 ,
r3 = R3 - R4 =1.3125-0.701=0.6115 ,
r4 = R4 - R5 =0.701-0.3744 =0.3266 ,
r5 = R5 - Ra =0.3744- 0.2=0.1744,

3.A starter required for a 220 V shunt motor.The maximum allowable current is 55
A and the minimum current is about 35 A.Find the number of starter resistance
required and the resistance of each section.The armature resistance of the motor
is 0.4 ohm.
( AU NOV/DEC 11)
Given:
V= 220 V
Ra = 0.4 ohm
I1 = Imax =55 A, I2 = Imin =35 A
(I1 / I2 )n-1 =R1/Ra
(55 / 35 )n-1 =R1/0.4
now R1= V/I1 =220/55 =4 ohm

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(1.57142)n-1 =4/0.4 =10

(n-1)log 1.57142 =log 10
(n-1) (0.196292)=1 i.e., n-1 =5.09
n=6.09 =6
Thus there are 6 studs and 5 sections.
I1 / I2 =K=55/35=1.571428
R1 =K R2 i.e., R2 =2.545
R2 =K R3 i.e., R3 =1.61984
R3 =K R4 i.e., R4 =1.0308
R4 =K R5 i.e., R5 =0.656
R5 =K Ra i.e., Ra =0.41 =0.4 (given)
The resistances of various sections are
section 1= R1 - R2 =1.4545
section 2= R2 - R3 =0.92561
section 3= R3 - R4 =0.58904
section 4= R4 - R5 =0.3748
section 5= R5 - Ra =1.4545

4.Explain the Ward Leonard system for the speed control of dc motors? Mention its
merits and demerits.(AU NOV/DEC 11)
This system is used where a very sensitive speed control is required.
Examples:elevators,paper mills,etc.
M1 is the main motor whose speed control is required.The field of this motor is
permanently connected across the dc supply lines.
By applying the a variable voltage across the armature ,any desired speed can be
obtained.
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 This variable voltage is supplied by a motor set which of either a dc or ac motor M2.The
motor M2 is directly coupled to the generator G.
The motor M2 runs at an approximately constant speed.The output voltage of 'G' is
directly fed to the main motor M1 .
The voltage of the generator can be varied from zero to its maximum value by means of
its field generator .
The field current of the generator can be reversing switch R s .Therefore the generated
voltage can be reversed and hence the direction of the relation of M1 is also reversed.
It should be remembered that motor generator set always in the same direction.

As this method can give the unlimited speed control in either directions ,this system is
commonly employed for elevators ,hoists and main drive in steel mills.Also this
system is ideal in applications where frequent starting,stopping and reversals are
required.
As the generator voltage can be raised from zero ,the motor starts up smoothly without
any extra starting equipment .
Although this system is advantageous as it giving wide range of speeds it requires two
extra machines which involves high capital cost.
In modern days SCRs are used for obtaining variable DC voltage which will take power
from AC mains through a transformer .
Though it is not less expensive ,the arrangement is neat and free from maintainence
problems.It will give automatic control of speed.
The modified Ward Leonard system is called Ward Leonard -ILgner system in which a
flywheel is used in addition to motor generator set.It is used to reduce the fluctuations in
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power demand from the supply.

When load on main motor is suddenly increased ,the driving motor M2 from the motor
generator slows down.Thus inertia of flywheel is used to supply part of the overload.
However when load is suddenly decreased from motor M1 ,then the motor M2 from set
speeds up which allows energy to store in the flywheel.
Merits:
This method is very effective and a wide range of speed control is obtained without
resistance losses.
The motor can be brought to standstill quickly ,simply by reducing the voltage of the
generator G.
This method is used for speed control,of large motors when a dc supply is not available.
Demerits:
The capital cost of such system is high ,since three machines are employed.
5.Sketch the necessary schematic circuits for the following methods of controlling the
speed of the DC series motor.
(AU NOV/DEC 11)
(i)Armature diverter control
(ii)Tapped field control.
Mention clearly the speed will increase or decrease, in each case with reasons.
Armature field control:
In this method ,a variable resistance is connected in parallel with the armature.
The armature current can be varied by adjusting the diverter resistance.
For a constant load, if Ia is decreased using the armature diverter ,then the flux must
increase to produce the same torque as T Ia .
To satisfy the condition current drawn from the supply will be more to increase flux.
Since the N1/,the motor speed is decreased.
By adjusting the armature diverter ,the speed of the motor can be varied. This method is
suitable to obtain the speed below the normal speed.

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(ii)Tapped Field Control:

In this method the number of tappings are provided in the series winding
The number of series field turns in the circuit can be changed by tappings.Here the flux
is reduced by decreasing the number of turns with full turns of the field winding ,the
motor runs at normal speed and as the field turns are cut out, the speed higher than
normal speed is achieved.

7.Explain armature reaction and commutation in details.

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8.Explain the characteristic of DC motor.

a)Electrical characteristics:
i) Torque and armature current characteristics. (Ta/Ia)
b) Mechanical characteristic:
ii)speed and torque characteristics (N/T)
c)speed and armature current characteristics (N/Ia)
CHARACTERISTICS OF DC SERIES MOTOR:

i)T/Ia characteristics:
we know that, T Ia in this case , as field windings also carry the armature current
upto magnetic saturation , Ia, so that T Ia2 after magnetic saturation, is constant , so that
T Ia.
Thus up to magnetic saturation , the armature torque is proportional to the square of the
armature current.
If Ia increases , T increases as the square of the current. Hence T/Ia curve is a parabola ,
after magnetic saturation, torque is directly proportional to the armature current. Therefore, T/Ia
curve after magnetic saturation is a straight line.

T Ia (after saturation)
TIa2 (upto saturation)
Ia then T

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ii)N/Ia characteristics:
The speed N of a series DC motor,

where,

Eb= V-Ia (Ra + Ise)

When Ia increases, the back emf Eb decreases due to Ia (Ra+Rse)drop, also the flux increases
however, Ia(Ra+Rse) drop is smaller under normal conditions and may be neglected

With increased Ia, also increases.

N 1/Ia. If Ia , then N .

N/T (OR) MECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

It is found from the characteristic curves that when speed is high, torque is low and vice
versa.

The relationship between N/T is shown.

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T Ia2 ;
N 1/Ia;
if T , then N .
EXPLAIN THE CHARACTERISTICS OF DC SHUNT MOTOR.

i)T/Ia characteristics:
we know that in a DC motor ,
T Ia
since the motor is operating from a constant supply voltage , flux is constant.
T Ia

T Ia If Ia then T.

Hence T/Ia characteristic curve is a straight line passing through the origin. The shaft
torque is a less then Ta and it is shown by a dotted line. It is clear from the curve that a very
large current is required to start a heavy load. Therefore, a shunt motor should not be started on
load.
ii)N/Ia characteristics:
The speed N of a DC motor is given by ,
N Eb/ (V-Ia Ra) [-constant]
N (V- Ia Ra)
If Ia, then N.
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Thus flux and back emf Eb in a shunt motor are almost constant under normal
conditions. Therefore , speed of a shunt motor will remains constant as the armature current
varies.
iii)N/T characteristics:
The curve is obtained by plotting the values of N and t for various armature currents. It may
be seen that speed falls some what as the torque increases.
From the characteristic curves. The following points are observed.
there is slight change in the speed of a shunt motor from no load to full load. Hence it
is essentially constant speed motor.
the starting torque is not high because T Ia

N (V Ia Ra)
so if T , then N .

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(9) Explain the working principle of DC motor.

While a DC generator converts mechanical energy in the form of rotation of the
conductor (armature) into electrical energy, a motor does the opposite. The input to a DC motor
is electrical and the output is mechanical rotation or torque. The fundamental principles and
construction of the DC motors are identical with DC generators which have the same type of
excitation. A DC machine that runs as a motor will also operate as a generator.
Principle of operation:
the basic principle of operation of d.c. motor is, "whenever a current carrying
conductor is placed in a magnetic field, the conductor experiences a force tending to move it."
The magnetic field between two poles N and S is shown in figure.
A current carrying conductor is shown in figure (a) along with the direction of the flux
loops around it.
If a current carrying conductor is placed between two magnetic poles as shown in figure
(b)both the fields will distorted.
Above the conductor, the field is weakened (less flux) and below the conductor, the field
is strengthened. Therefore the conductor tends to move upwards. The force exerted upwards
depends upon the intensity of the main field flux and the magnitude of the current.
Then the direction of the current through the conductor is reversed as shown in figure(c)
Here, the field of the below conductor is less (weakened) and field of the above conductor is
more (strengthened). Then the conductor tends to move downwards.
The magnitude of the force experienced by the conductor in a motor is given by
F= BIl Newton,
Where
B= Magnetic field density in wb/m
I = current in amperes
l= length of the conductor in meters.
The direction of motion is given by Fleming's Left Hand rule,Which states that if the
thumb,fore finger and middle finger of the left hand are held such that the fingers show three
mutually perpendicular directions and if the fore finger indicates direction of the field, and the
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middle finger indicates the direction of the current, then the thumb points the direction of motion
of the conductor. In a d.c. motor, a strong electromagnetic field and a large number of conductors
housed in an armature and carrying current, make the armature rotate.
(10) What is meant by back emf.
An interesting aspect of motoring action is detailed below. The conductors are cutting
flux and that is exactly what is required for generator action to take place. This means that even
when the machine is working as a motor, voltages are induce in the conductors. This emf is
called as the back emf or counter emf , since the cause for this is the rotation, which, in turn, is
due to the supply voltage. According to Lenz's law, the direction of the back emf opposes the
supply voltage. The back emf is given by the equation for induced emf as derived in chapter.
where the symbols, P,A,Z and N have the same meaning as in chapter figure 4.20 shows the
equivalent circuit of a motor. Here, the armature circuit is equivalent to a source of emf Eb, in
series with a resistance of Ra and then a DC supply is applied across these two. The voltage
equation of this DC motor is
V= Eb + Ia Ra
From this equation, armature current

where
V - applied voltage
Eb - back emf
Ia - armature current
Ra - armature resistance
V - Eb - net voltage in the armature circuit.
From equations, the induced emf in the armature of a motor Eb depends upon
(i)armature speed,
(ii) armature current Ia depends upon the back emf Eb for a constant input voltage V and
armature resistance Ra.
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